Statement by Josefina Vidal Ferreiro, Head of the North American Division of the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs

An unfortunate yet unusual event in Cuba has again been distorted and manipulated by narrow self-serving political interests to justify the policy of blockade against our country. The statements of the State Department and the White House are yet another evidence of the permanent policy of aggression and interference in the internal affairs of Cuba and stand out for their hypocrisy and double standards. Indeed, they are more becoming of the record of human rights violations of the United States in its own territory and in the world than they are of the performance of Cuba, where the human person is valued the most.

There was no statement by the President or the State Department when on January 3, in Chicago, prisoner Lyvita Gomes died behind bars as a result of a hunger strike.

It is not in Cuba where 90 prisoners have been executed since January 2010, while another 3,222 inmates remain on death row, awaiting execution. It must be remembered that the United States has already held its first execution of 2012 and its government ruthlessly represses those who dare to denounce the system’s injustice.

It is the Government of the United States which engages in torture and extrajudicial executions in the countries it attacks, and which uses police brutality against its own people.

In a colossal act of cynicism, the U.S. government dares now to accuse Cuba, while it turns a blind eye on and remains silent about the flagrant violations of human rights generated by the injustice, onslaught and destitution that its policy brings for millions of people around the world, including in the United States.

Cuba will continue to be the country where, in spite the U.S.’s economic war against it, fewer children die at birth, where every day efforts are made to raise the already outstanding levels of social justice, levels that remain beyond reach for most people in the world, including in the United States, where there is a growing inequality.January 20, 2012

We are happy to share with you the design of the FREE the FIVE logo designed by local Mexican artist Federico Medina. This logo is a great contribution to the international campaign to free the Five Cuban heroes unjustly held in US prisons.

We thank Federico for his solidarity to the international campaign to free the Cuban FIVE.

Statement
by the 29th Southern Cross Brigade condemning the US economic embargo against
Cuba.

1.On this day, Thursday 5 January 2012, the 29th
Southern Cross Brigade from Australia proclaims fraternal solidarity to the
Cuban people and expresses gratitude for the opportunity to meet Cuban people
and obtain an understanding of the Cuban Revolution’s success;

2.The 29th Southern Cross Brigade congratulates
the success of the Cuban Revolution, particularly in the areas of health,
education, culture and sport, as an example for other developing countries of
the world.

3.The 29th Southern Cross Brigade condemns the
imposition by the US of the economic, commercial and financial blockade against
the Cuban people. These unjust and
unfair actions of the US Government are an attempt to interfere with the
sovereignty of the Cuban people, and an attempt to impose US political
structures inside Cuba for the benefit of the US.

4.The 29th Southern Cross Brigade considers that the
unfair blockade is an agressive act designed to inhibit Cuba’s economic and
social progress. The unfair US blockade has brought substantial damage to the
Cuban economy and prevents the Cuban people from achieving the same
opportunities for economic progress and wellbeing that is currently enjoyed by
all other peoples of the world.

5.The 29th Southern Cross Brigade calls for
worldwide support to the Cuban people in their continuing opposition to the
unfair US blockade, and supports all efforts by governments, citizens and
corporations to work against and stop the unfair blockade.

6.The 29th Southern Cross Brigade supports the
efforts of the United Nations, the European Community and other Governments in
maintaining normal economic, commercial and financial relationships with Cuba.

7.The 29th Southern Cross Brigade calls on the
Australian Government, its agencies, the Australian people and non-government
organisations to express support to the Cuban people and express opposition to
the unfair US blockade in all relevant forums and actions.